Oscars

I'm typically NOT thrilled with the Oscars -- the whole system around how the studios campaign for films leading up to the ceremony all too often results in undeserving winners.

It's commonly the good rather than the great; examples from previous years include Denzel Washington being awarded Best Actor for Training Day, and Shakespeare in Love taking Best Film (despite my minor fandom of Tom Stoppard).

However, I'm very pleased with the results for this year, especially with the flagship awards.

No Country for Old Men taking Best Film and Best Supporting Actor awards this year was very pleasing -- a very un-Cohen like movie (in terms of their typical quips and casting), and yet you can see how their personalities would have been strongly attracted to this story and script. A really non-Hollywood film as well, not necessarily spelling everything out for the audience.

Daniel Day Lewis taking the Best Actor award for There Will Be Blood was also very satisfying. While this film had really good acting and directing, DDL's portrayal of the lead character (Daniel Plainview) was truly great. I loved so many things about this performance, but what is etched into my brain are moments from the film where you see Plainview's reactions at the point where he thinks he's got another character's motivation figured out.

(As an aside, everytime I read a quote from Daniel Day Lewis, I am impressed by his observations and intelligence.)

Hopefully this is the start of a trend...